Seal.



F. A. RUTHERFORD.

SEAL.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 11, 1916.

Patented Feb. 22,1916.

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pmTEn s'raTEs PATENT Enron.

FREDERICK A. RUTHERFORD, or BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR or ONE-HALF To U. E. GILLEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLInoIs. I

SEAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 22, 19315.

Application filed January 11, 1916. Serial No. 71,440.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK A. RUTH- nnronn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Battle Creek, county of Calhoun, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Seals, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in seals.

My invention relates particularly to improvements in seals, such as are generally designated car seals, although it is adapted and satisfactory for use in other relations, such as sealing express packages and the like where secure and cheap seals are desired.

The main object of this invention is to provide an'improved car seal which is very simple and economical in structure and at the same time one which is very secure and one which is simple and convenient to use.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A. structure which is a preferred embodiment of my-invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure I is arear view of my improved 7 seal with the strap in its locked position. Fig. II is an enlarged detail longitudinal section on a line corresponding to line 2-2 of Fig. I. Fig. III is a perspective view of the casing or seal head with the clutch member disposed therein. Fig. IV is a blank from which the casing member or seal head is formed. Fig. V is a detail plan view of the strap.

In the drawing similar reference characters refer to'similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing, the casing or seal head member 1 is formed as a stamping and comprises integral front, side and end walls. The blank from which the casing member 1 is formed is shown in Fig. IV and comprises the central front wall portion 2, the outer end wall portion 3, the

inner wall portion 4, and the side wall portions 5. These portions are folded up along the dotted lines into the form shown in Fig. III. The inner end wall 4: is relatively narrow and the side walls are wider than the end walls so that when bent into position they project beyond the end walls.

The strap 6 is preferably formed of suitable bendable metal, such as tin, and is secured to the casing member. The inner end of the strap is disposed within the casing, the strap being then wrapped over the inner end wall across the rear wall over the outer end wall and between the side walls to project across the front end wall.

The side walls are provided with extensions 7 which are clamped upon the strap securing it to the casing and clamping it over the inner end wall so that it is quite impossible for it to slip or draw over the same.

The spring clutch member 8 is arranged within the casing with its inner end against the inner end wall. The clutch member is formed of suitable spring material, such as spring steel, and is clamped in place by the tongues or portions 7 which are folded down upon the strap, not only clamping the strap but also clamping the inner end of the clutch member. The ends of the portions 7 are preferably connected by spot welding as at 9. The front wall 2 of the casing is provided with a. rectangular hole 10 adjacent the outer end wall. The clutch mem ber has a rectangular notch 11 at its outer end alined with the hole 10.

The outer end of the strap is preferably folded longitudinally upon itself to provide a rectangular tongue 12 adapted to be inserted through the hole 10 and engage the notch 11 in the end of the clutch member 8. This clutch member, however, is of such length that it is raised by the insertion of the tongue and clamps the tongue against the outer end of the wall of the casing member so that an attempt to withdraw the tongue causes the clutch member to bite or embed itself into the tongue, and the greater the pull on the strap the greater the clutch action. The strap is provided with a hole 13 which is brought into alinement with the hole 10 in the casing when the strap is secured thereto.

The hole 10, the notch in the end of the clutch member and the tongue are preferably rectangular so that it is impossible to twist the tongue in attempting to disengage it from the clutch.

My improved seal is very simple and economical to produce both in the formation of the parts and the assembling of the same. The structure is simple to operate and when locked it is quite impossible to unlock it without destroying the seal. It is difficult to unlock it even when the casing is broken.

I have illustrated and described my improvements as I have embodied the same for use as car seals. Considerable variation in structural details are possible without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a seal, the combination of a casing member comprising integral front, side, and end walls, the side walls being wider than the end walls, the inner end wall being relatively narrow and the front wall having a rectangular opening therein adjacent the outer end wall, a spring clutch member having a rectangular notch in its outer end disposed within said casing with its inner end against the inner end wall and its notch in alinement with said opening in said front wall, and a strap wrapped around said casing member over the end walls thereof and between its side walls and constituting a rear casing wall, the inner end of the strap being disposed within said casing, portions of said casing side walls being folded upon said strap clamping it upon the inner end of said clutch member and over the inner end wall, the strap being provided with an opening registering with the opening of said casing, the outer end of the strap being folded longitudinally upon itself into a rectangular tongue adapted to be inserted through the opening in said casing and clutched between said clutch member and said outer end wall.

2. In a seal, the combination of a casing member comprising integral front, side, and end walls, the side walls being wider than the end walls, the inner end wall being rela tively narrow and the front wall having an opening therein adjacent the outer end wall, a spring clutch member disposed within said casing with its inner end against the inner end wall, and a strap wrapped around said casing member over the end walls thereof and between its side walls and constituting a rear casing wall, the inner end of the strap being disposed within said casing portions of said casing side Walls being folded upon said strap clamping it upon the inner end of said clutch member and over the inner end wall, the ends of such clamping portions being welded together, the strap being provided with an opening registering with the opening of said casing,

the outer end of the strap being adapted to be inserted through the opening in said casing and clutched between said clutch memher and said outer end wall.

3. In a seal, the combination of a casing member comprising integral front, side, and end walls, the side walls being wider than the end walls, the front wall having an opening therein adjacent the outer end wall, a spring clutch member disposed within said casing with its inner end against the inner end wall, and a strap wrapped around said casing member over the end walls thereof and between its side walls and constituting a rear casing wall, the inner end of the strap being disposed Within said casing, portions of said casing side walls being folded upon said strap clamping it upon the inner end of said clutch member and over the inner end wall, the strap being provided with an. opening registering with the opening of said casing, the outer end of the strap being adapted to be inserted through the opening in said casing and clutched between said clutch member and saidouter end wall.

i. In a seal, the combination of a casing member comprising integral front, side and end walls, the front wall having a rectangular opening therein adjacent the outer end wall, a spring clutch member having a rectangular notch in its outer end disposed within said casing with its notch in alinement with said opening in said front wall, and a strap Wrapped around and secured to said casing member and constituting a rear' casing wall, the inner end of the strap being disposed within said casing, the strap being provided with an opening registering with the opening of said casing, the outer end of the strap being folded longitudinally upon itself into a rectangular tongue adapted to be inserted through the opening in said casing and clutched between said clutch mema her and said outer end wall.

In a seal, the combination of a casing comprising integral front, side and end walls, the front wall having an opening therein adjacent the outer end wall, a spring clutch member disposed within said casing,

and a strap wrapped around and secured to said casing member and constituting a rear casing wall, the inner end of the strap being disposed within said casing, the strap being provided with an opening registering with the opening of said casin the outer end of the strap being adapted to be inserted through the opening in said casing and clutched between said clutch member and said outer end wall. 7

6. In a seal, the combination of a casing member comprising integral front, side and end walls, the front wall having a rectangular opening therein adjacent the outer end wall, a spring clutch member having a reotangular notch in 1ts outer end CllSPOSGClwithin said casing with its notch in alinement with said opening in said front wall, and a strap wrapped around and secured to said casing member and constituting a rear casing wall, the outer end of the strap being folded longitudinally upon itself into a rec tangular tongue adapted to be inserted through the opening in said casing and clutched between said clutch member and said outer end wall.

7. In a seal, the combination of a casing member comprising integral front, side, and end walls, the front wall having an opening therein adjacent the outer end wall, a spring clutch member disposed within said casing, and a strap wrapped around and secured to said casing member and constituting a rear casing wall, the outer end of the strap being adapted to be inserted through the opening in said casing and clutched between said clutch member and said outer end wall.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

FREDERICK A. RUTHERFORD.

Witnesses:

LEO E. KNAPP, RUSSELL M. LU'rz.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

